Perspectives Newsletter - February 2016. The move to digital television wasn’t as simple as just turning on the new signal and expecting everyone to be able to watch television – this modern reform required a dedicated process of change management by government, business and the community. The same can be said for mental health - change management must be as prioritized as much as the reforms themselves writes Mental Health Australia CEO Frank Quinlan.

Perspectives Newsletter - September 2015. We hear a lot about what we can do to prevent physical illnesses, but most of us rarely think about the sorts of things we can do to protect and promote mental wellbeing. The Act-Belong-Commit campaign is a world first mental health promotion program developed by Curtin University in Western Australia. The campaign is unique in that it targets the whole population and is focussed on mental health, rather than mental illness.

Perspectives Newsletter - September 2015. Australia’s first royal commission into family violence will wrap up public hearings after four weeks of evidence from victims, advocates and support services. We’ve learnt that the impacts of early experiences of family violence and child abuse are often both significant and long-term. However, until recently, society has continued to ignore and stigmatise the daily challenges often experienced by the five million Australian adults living with the effects of childhood trauma and abuse.

Perspectives Newsletter - September 2015. A new National Mental Health Plan and reform of the system that goes with it, can only occur if everyone plays a substantial part in the process. Reform must be designed in tandem with the mental health sector and must be led by First Ministers. In this article, Mental Health Australia CEO Frank Quinlan outlines the issues facing governments and the sector in regards to responding to the National Mental Health Commissions Review, and implementing the NDIS.

Perspectives Newsletter - September 2015. Most people now know that mental health problems are common and disabling. It is no different in the workplace, where the annual costs to the economy are often cited in be in the billions. Unfortunately, there may not be many people in a workplace who would know how to offer help to a co-worker who is developing depression, troublesome anxiety or a substance use disorder. Fortunately there are more programs becoming available to train employees in how to offer help a co-worker.

Perspectives Newsletter - September 2015. When a mental health crisis occurs, often the first people on the scene are the police. However, in reality, the need for trained mental health professionals as first responders is also key. In this article, Kym Ryan, CEO of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses discusses a new plan by NSW Police to ensure mental health nurses are part of any first response to reported mental health related crises.

Perspectives Newsletter - September 2015. Mental Health Australia has recently launched a new non-voting individual membership category, allowing everyone the opportunity to support the mental health sector in Australia. For a small fee, anyone can become a ‘Friend of Mental Health Australia’.

Perspectives Newsletter - September 2015. Mental Health Australia CEO Frank Quinlan recently joined a delegation of leaders from the mental health sector to attend the Garma Festival in the Northern Territory. In this article Frank shares his experiences and photos from this important Indigenous cultural event.

Mental Health Australia

Mental Health Australia is the peak, national non-government organisation representing and promoting the interests of the Australian mental health sector and committed to achieving better mental health for all Australians. It was established in 1997 as the first independent peak body in Australia to truly represent the full spectrum of mental health stakeholders and issues. Mental Health Australia members include national organisations representing consumers, carers, special needs groups, clinical service providers, public and private mental health service providers, researchers and state/territory community mental health peak bodies.

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day (WMHD) is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy. Mental Health Australia plays an important role in coordinating WMHD activities throughout Australia. The theme for this year’s Mental Health Australia campaign will be announced soon!